Photo above – In 2017 John Knight delivers remarks to NASAO annual conference attendees in Fairhope, AL.
John K. Knight of Arkadelphia, Arkansas served the Arkansas Department of Aeronautics for 27 years, first as assistant director under Gov. Bill Clinton and then as director, when he was appointed by Gov. Jim Guy Tucker in 1992. He retired from state service on Sept. 1, 2014. John flew West on August 2, 2025 at the age of 84.
“Capturing the full scope of John Knight’s impact on aviation in Arkansas is no easy task,” said Jerry Chism, Director for the Arkansas Division of Aeronautics. “His influence and his contributions touched virtually every aspect of the aviation community. Whether serving as an ag pilot, a charter pilot, conducting aerial wildlife surveys, or leading the Arkansas Department of Aeronautics, John was a constant and trusted presence — the very face of general aviation in our state for decades.”
But John Knight was more than just a pilot. He was a man of integrity, humility, and quiet strength — a person who led by example, not by words. “One of his favorite aircraft was the Piper J3 Cub,” remembered Chism, “a plane he admired not because it was fast or flashy, but because it was honest and true…much like himself.”
For John Eagerton, retired Bureau Chief for the Alabama Aeronautics Bureau, John was the Gold Standard during his years in the National Association of State Aviation Officials (NASAO). “It was always a joy to spend some time with John and Rose during our conferences. It was particularly gratifying for me to “plot” with a few others when we got John to attend the 2017 NASAO conference in Fairhope when he received the Ken Rowe Award, post-retirement.”
The Kenneth A. Rowe Ambassador of Aviation Award is presented to leaders who embody “spirit, optimism, and fierce pride in the capabilities of state aviation agencies.”
In 2015, John was inducted into The Arkansas Aviation Historical Society’s Hall of Fame, an honor he held in high regard.
“He was a great leader, a wise mentor, and above all, a true friend,” said Chsim. “His legacy will continue to shape Arkansas aviation for years to come, and his absence will be deeply felt by all who had the privilege to know him.”
